TOUGH TALKING: Bilic has warned his players ahead of the trip to Man City

City, who have a 100% record in the Premier League, were beaten 2-1 at home by Italian champions Juventus in their opening Champions League group game.

It was another disappointing result in Europe’s elite club competition for Manuel Pellegrini’s men but Bilic believes the Hammers, who have enjoyed “historic” victories already his season at Arsenal and Liverpool, will face opponents keen to restore some pride.

Added to the fact that West Ham’s last victory at the Etihad came nine years ago in an FA Cup quarter-final means the East Londoners have a difficult task.

Bilic said: “I would have loved Man City to win their game against Juventus. Because now they are a little bit like: ‘We need a response.’

“Will that loss affect their confidence? No. Because while they deserved not to lose that game, they lost to the team that played in last season’s Champions League final.

“Juventus scored with two great finishes, the second one especially was a great goal from (Alvaro) Morata.

“But you know that City will demand a response now.

“To be fair, they will start as favourites. But I am expecting a good game. And if we do that, then we have chances.”

West Ham, who moved to fifth place in the Premier League after their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Monday, have plenty of options now within their first-team squad.

Striker Andy Carroll came on as an 88th-minute substitute at Upton Park, his first appearance after a seven-month lay-off with knee injury, while Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic and £7m winger Michail Antonio have yet to play since their transfer deadline day arrivals.

Yet while Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang should be involved, given that he is likely to recover in time from a knock to his ankle, the Hammers will have to make alterations in defence because Italian centre-half Angelo Ogbonna has been ruled out through injury.

Bilic said: “Unfortunately Angelo pulled his hamstring. It’s a grade one (tear), so a minimum of a week or two. Which means it’s long enough out to miss playing Manchester City and Leicester (in the Capital One Cup).”